How to enable new features for Windows 11 September 2026 Update (KB5120998)

The Windows 11 September 2026 Update (KB5120998) is rolling out on September 8, 2026, for versions 25H2 and 24H2, with new features and fixes.
Since Microsoft enables changes gradually, you can manually unlock the new features by installing the update and running the ViVeTool commands in Command Prompt (admin).

As soon as Microsoft releases a new preview build, I install it to see what’s actually changing on Windows 11 before those features reach everyone else. However, I’ve learned that installing the latest update doesn’t always mean you’ll get everything Microsoft announced.

Microsoft rolls out many new features gradually, so two computers running the exact same build can have different experiences. It’s a smart way to catch problems before they spread, but it’s also frustrating when you’re trying to test or use a feature that simply refuses to appear.

That’s exactly what’s happening with the Windows 11 September 2026 Security Update for versions 25H2 and 24H2, rolling out on September 8, 2026. Although the update includes several improvements, many remain hidden behind Microsoft’s controlled feature rollout. If you’re like me and prefer to explore new features as soon as they’re available, you can often bypass that wait by using ViveTool with the appropriate feature ID discovered by @PhantomOfEarth.

In this guide, I’ll show you how I enable many of the new features expected to roll out with the September 2026 update using the ViveTool. Based on my testing, these commands don’t always unlock everything, since some features may still be limited by Microsoft or tied to specific hardware and regions. I’ll also explain how to install the update early through the Release Preview channel or after it becomes generally available, and I’ll keep this guide updated as Microsoft changes or retires these feature IDs.

Important: This ViveTool code does not guarantee that all features included in the September 2026 update will be enabled. Also, these IDs change frequently, and once Microsoft permanently integrates a feature or improvement into the operating system, the associated IDs stop working. I will update this guide as soon as new details become available.

Enable new September 2026 features on Windows 11

To enable all the new features and changes for the Windows 11 update KB5120998, follow these steps:

Open the GitHub website.
Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to enable all the new features for September 2026.
Double-click the zip folder to open it with File Explorer.
Click the Extract all button.
Click the Extract button.
Copy the path to the folder.
Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to navigate to the ViveTool folder and press Enter:
```
cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-v0.x.x
```
In the command, remember to change the path to the folder to your path.
Type the following command to enable virtually all the new features and press Enter:
```
vivetool /enable /id:61161244
```
Type the following command to enable the Taskbar positioning setting and press Enter:
```
vivetool /enable /id:59213768
```
Type the following command to enable the smaller Taskbar setting and press Enter:
```
vivetool /enable /id:61090762
```
(Optional) Type the following command to enable the new Smart menu customization settings and press Enter:
```
vivetool /enable /id:61754985,61225604,61596616,61596617,61596618,61596619
```
(Optional) Type the following command to enable the new snipper process indicator and press Enter:
```
vivetool /enable /id:59728252
```

(Optional) Type the following command to enable Administrator Protection and press Enter:

vivetool /enable /id:51406324,60288851,48433719,58989092,58989177,61160789,61161244,61161268,61161283,6116130461754985,61225604,61596616,61596617,61596618,61596619

Restart the computer to apply the changes.

Once you complete the steps, the command should enable the features and changes introduced in build 26200.8968 for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2.

If you want to undo the changes, you can follow the same instructions outlined above, but in step 10, run the vivetool /disable /id:61161244 command and continue running the different commands, depending on which ones you enabled. You can also run the vivetool /fullreset command to reset any customization you may have enabled using this tool.

The ones I labeled as “Optional” are the codes that worked in previous builds, but I couldn’t test them because those features were already enabled on my setup. As a result, they may or may not work.

Install Windows 11 September 2026 Security Update

The installation process for the update, which includes the new features and changes for September 2026, depends on when you try to access the improvements. If it’s before the update is generally available, you’ll have to enroll your device in the Release Preview channel of the Windows Insider Program. If the update is generally available as an optional install, you can just check for updates through the Windows Update settings without enrolling in the Windows Insider Program.

Usually, I’d recommend waiting until the update is generally available as an optional install. This happens at the end of the month before the next Patch Tuesday.

Install the update before it’s generally available

To enroll and install preview updates of Windows 11, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the Windows Insider Program page.
Click the Get started button.
Click the “Continue” button to join the program with your currently logged-in Microsoft account.

Quick note: You may need to click the “Edit” button to select a Microsoft account.
Click the Continue button.
Click the Advanced options button.
Turn on the “Show Release Preview” toggle switch to enable the option.
Select the Release Preview option under the “Select your experience” section.
Click the Restart button.
Open Settings after the reboot.
Click on Windows Update.
Check the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch.
Click the “Check for updates” button.
Click the Restart now button.
Open Microsoft Store.
Click on Downloads in the bottom left.
Click the “Check for updates” button to ensure apps and system components are up to date.

Once you complete the steps, the latest preview of the operating system will be installed on your computer, giving you access to upcoming features, changes, and fixes.

Install the update after it’s generally available

To install the preview of the next quality update of Windows 11, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Windows Update.
Check the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle switch.
Click the “Check for updates” button.
(Optional) Click the “Download and install” option to apply a preview of an upcoming update of Windows 11.
Click the Restart now button.
Open Microsoft Store.
Click on Downloads in the bottom left.
Click the “Check for updates” button to ensure apps and system components are up to date.

After you complete the steps, if an update is available, it will download and install automatically on Windows 11.

FAQs about the Windows 11 September 2026 Update

If you still have questions about the September 2026 update for Windows 11, the following FAQs will help clarify what’s new and how to enable the latest features.

Will I enable all of the features by running the ViveTool command?

No, because some features aren’t available to everyone (even after running the ViveTool commands), and others are limited to specific regions.

Why do I need to run the ViveTool command to enable the new features?

You don’t have to use ViveTool, but some people want to access the improvements as soon as possible. The problem is that Microsoft rolls out new features gradually, even after they’re officially available. The idea is that if something breaks, the company can quickly stop the problem from spreading to more devices.

What features and changes are available with the September 2026 update for Windows 11?

As part of this Patch Tuesday Update, Microsoft is rolling out monthly improvements for existing features. For example, the operating system gets major customization upgrades, including a movable and resizable Taskbar and new Start menu size options.

Windows Search gets interface refinements and more control over web and Microsoft Store suggestions. In addition, Microsoft begins rolling out Administrator Protection, while File Explorer, Windows Share, Task Manager, networking, and other parts get smaller improvements.

Thank you for your feedback!

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